Icing & Glitter
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Fashion

Thrifted

Thrifted

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Jacket: Value Village (similar here and here); Skirt: Zara (similar here and here); Top: Aritzia (similar here and here); Sandals: Steve Madden (similar here and here)

Working in fashion, I often come across girls with the coolest style, and when I ask where they got X item from, I’m too often met with the word ‘thrifted’, more specifically, thrifted from Value Village. I’ll admit, I personally had never been thrift shopping. In fact, I rarely even shop a sale or go bargain shopping. The sight of piles of clothing strewn about gives me anxiety. Alas, I felt that if I am to truly be a member of the fashion industry, I must try my hand at thrifting. I’m not going to lie, I watched videos and even listened to Macklemore’s Thrift Shop to get hyped prepare for my expedition. On a Tuesday evening after work, I hopped on the Go Train to make my way to the brand new Value Village in Pickering. What better way to have my first thrifting experience than in a brand new store?

Upon entering the store, all fear of clothing littered on shelves were left at the door – everything was organized and the store was easy to navigate through. I was also shocked by the sheer size of the place. There were racks of clothing as far as the eye could see! However, I was on a mission – to find the perfect oversized denim jacket. I’d been searching for the right one for far too long, but the boyfriend fit I wanted seemed to not exist. So when I arrived at Value Village, I went straight into the men’s section. I did a quick once-over before perusing the women’s section, but something in my heart told me to go back to the men’s section and flip through every jacket. So I made my way over, and slowly with a hawk eye, went through every jacket on the rack. Unfortunately the denim jackets in the men’s medium just weren’t in the wash that I wanted. Suddenly, my gaze fell upon the perfect light washed denim jacket. However, it was a size XL. Despite my initial reservation, I decided to give it a try, and upon seeing myself once in the mirror, I knew it was the one. I left Value Village having spent $15.99 on a denim jacket that I absolutely adore, feeling the coolest I’ve felt since I bought a Motorola in 10th grade.

My verdict? I will most definitely be definitely going thrift shopping again. I think it’s important to address sustainability in fashion, and thrift shopping (and donating old clothing) is the way to do it. Many of you may not know but my grand dad suffered from diabetes throughout his life. I was so pleased to learn that the Value Village in Pickering has an ongoing partnership with the Clothesline Program and the Canadian Diabetes Foundation whereby they Value Village pays to support people with diabetes when you donate clothes to the store’s on-site Community Donation Centre. So guys, anyone who’s looking to try their hand at thrifting, this is the place to do it!

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49 Comments

  3. Amy Arnold
    June 15, 2016 / 1:34 pm

    I am not a very good thrifter either, but people do find amazing pieces. Love the jean jacket on you!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

  4. Julia (The Velvet Runway)
    June 15, 2016 / 1:47 pm

    I love this oversized denim jacket on you and how you styled it! I think thrifting is a great concept but I have always shared your anxiety about piles of clothes strewn everywhere (a bit like Zara in the sales!) so have never really given it a go! After reading your post, it seems like this would be a good place to start!
    Julia xx
    http://www.thevelvetrunway.com

  5. Jalisa
    June 15, 2016 / 2:16 pm

    You look SO effortlessly cool, Siffat! I adore your sunglasses, red lip, and of course, your new jacket! I love bargain shopping, especially at Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls and TjMaxx (I think it’s TjMaxx in Canada!?). I always find such amazing deals on designer pieces, especially in the ‘Runway’ section of Tjmaxx! I also LOVE thrifting! I’ve found some amazing genuine leather pieces, that are amazing in quality and have a bit of that worn in look that I love. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, my mom and I stumbled upon a thrift shop while walking around and she scored an authentic Valentino blazer for dirt cheap! The label read ‘Valentino Boutique’, it was from when Valentino was a small boutique, not the iconic fashion power house we know today! She was SO happy, as you could imagine! She’s come a long way in wanting to go (bargain) shopping with me because like you, she felt overwhelmed with the vast amount of clothing, but when you get your first high at finding such a great deal, you get used to it quickly, haha! Glad your first experience in thrifting was good one, in visiting a place that was new and organized, some of them can be really messy! Thanks so much for sharing, beautiful, and I hope you’re having a great week so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

  6. Ramona
    June 15, 2016 / 2:55 pm

    You sound a lot like me about thrifting. You have found such an amazing gem. This is such a cool look. You look so effortlessly stylish.
    xoxo
    Ramona

    http://ramona-strikeapose.blogspot.ie

  8. ZuneraSerena
    June 15, 2016 / 3:58 pm

    Love the denim jacket and I loved your thrift shopping experiance. I might give it a try too.

    Zunera-Serena.com

  10. PutAllOnMe
    June 15, 2016 / 5:20 pm

    Amazing outfit!! I am obsessed with oversized denim jackets – they just make every outfit so dope and next level:)
    You look amazing <3
    xx
    http://putitallonme.com/

  11. Tamara
    June 15, 2016 / 5:52 pm

    Absolutely loving this oversized denim!

    XoXo,

    Tamara – LoveofMode.com

  13. Kasie Chelanne
    June 15, 2016 / 6:09 pm

    Thrift stores give me anxiety too! I have vivid memories of chaotic Value Villages in Seattle at Halloween time…chaos! This is such a fabulous find, you’ve inspired me to give thrifting another try!

  17. Gellie
    June 16, 2016 / 3:10 am

    First of all, you look awesome. And second, I do love thrift shopping too. There are a lot of thrift stores here in the Philippines. 🙂

    xoxo,
    Gelleesh.com

  18. Rina
    June 16, 2016 / 4:18 am

    The jacket and slip dress is so 90s retro I love it! You’re rocking this look as always babe! Loving the red lip you did too!

    xoxo
    Rina
    http://www.andshedressed.com

  21. Leftbankgirl
    June 16, 2016 / 11:11 am

    You’re so rocking this look! This is a fantastic find! I’ve found some amazing things at consignment shops or Goodwill. Hope you keep on hunting. Great post!

    http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com

  22. wambui
    June 16, 2016 / 11:52 am

    love the jacket

  25. Darlene
    June 16, 2016 / 7:07 pm

    I’m really digging this new hair on you!! I super love it. I always go for thrift shopping, I get so excited and happy every time I find a good deal. I like pairing it up with some designer shoes and bag, or if I get lucky I get a really good designer brands while thrift shopping.
    thenewgirl.me

  26. Izabela
    June 16, 2016 / 7:14 pm

    I’ve never been thrift shopping. Somehow the idea never appealed to me. I love the jacket you found. It looks incredible.

    http://www.mydailywear.co.uk

  28. Missy May
    June 16, 2016 / 10:23 pm

    Now that’s a rad denim jacket, Siffat. You look effortlessly good and beautiful. I haven’t thrifted before too and just like you, it gives me anxiety, but I do love a good bargain. I might have to take that bold step and do one like you. Thanks for the boost. 🙂

    http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

  33. Raysa Garcia
    June 17, 2016 / 9:27 am

    Loving the oversized Denim jacket. Fabulous!
    Xx, Raysa

  35. Kelly K
    June 17, 2016 / 11:38 am

    I love that oversized denim jacket–especially over that black maxi dress! Such a cool contrast! Gorgeous look as always!

    http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com

  37. Gemma
    June 17, 2016 / 12:50 pm

    Wow great post, I love the jacket you got and the sunglasses are everything! Have a great weekend. Gemma x

  42. Mica
    June 17, 2016 / 8:55 pm

    That is an awesome denim jacket – glad you finally tracked down what you wanted! 🙂

    The thrift stores here all support charities too so shopping is for a good cause! I don’t go much now I have two little ones to look after, as it takes a bit of time, but I do go when I can as you never know what bargains you’ll find! 🙂

    Away From The Blue Blog

  44. Lily Rose
    June 18, 2016 / 4:17 am

    I love this outfit, especially the jacket. I actually don’t thrift shop but I’m glad you have found a place that you enjoyed shopping at. If I’m in the area, I will definitely check out this store!

    -Lily from With Love Lily Rose

  45. Anouk
    June 18, 2016 / 10:30 am

    Such a cool look! Love the simplicity and the coolness.

    LUXESSED

  47. Qazi Fabia Hoq
    June 20, 2016 / 5:33 pm

    Its high time I need to start thrifting as well! I am a Toronto based blogger as well! and I love shopping from high street brands! But I should definitely check out Value Village! Love your slouchy jacket!! Love how u styled it with a slit slip dress!!! 🙂
    http://www.afashionholicslife.blogspot.com

  48. Face to Curls
    June 20, 2016 / 11:42 pm

    Love the oversize denim jacket! I have never been thrift shopping but your thrift shopping experience sounds like it was fun and such a great experience as well! x

    Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com

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